Franck-Condon simulation of the single vibronic level emission spectra of HSiF and DSiF including anharmonicity

Potential energy functions (PEFs) of the (X) over tilde (1)A' and (A) over tilde (1)A states of HSiF have been computed using the coupled-cluster single-double plus perturbative triple excitations and complete-active-space self-consistent-field multireference internally contracted configuration interaction methods, respectively, employing augmented correlation-consistent polarized-valence quadruple-zeta basis sets. For both electronic states of HSiF and DSiF, anharmonic vibrational wavefunctions and energies of all three modes have been calculated variationally with the ab initio PEFs and using Watson's Hamiltonian for nonlinear molecules. Franck-Condon factors between the two electronic states, allowing for Duschinsky rotation, were computed using the calculated anharmonic vibrational wavefunctions. These Franck-Condon factors were used to simulate the single vibronic level (SVL) emission spectra recently reported by Hostutler in J. Chem. Phys. 114, 10728 (2001). Excellent agreement between the simulated and observed spectra was obtained for the (A) over tilde (1)A(1,0,0)-->(X) over tilde (1)A' SVL emission of HSiF. Discrepancies between the simulated and observed spectra of the (A) over tilde (1)A(0,1,0) and (1,1,0) SVL emissions of HSiF have been found. These are most likely, partly due to experimental deficiencies and, partly to inadequacies in the ab initio levels of theory employed in the calculation of the PEFs. Based on the computed Franck-Condon factors, minor revisions of previous vibrational assignments are suggested. The calculated anharmonic wave functions of higher vibrational levels of the (X) over tilde (1)A' state show strong mixings between the three vibrational modes of HSi stretching, bending, and SiF stretching. (C) 2004 American Institute of Physics.